Packrafting Austria

In Late June 2017 I met with Peter Allen in Austria for a short trip. The plan was to drink beers and maybe check some local rivers out.

This trip was so short I am glad I have some pictures as reminders. I won’t write a full report because it doesn’t make sense and it would be really boring but here are some facts about the trip:

Austria is a beautiful country.

You can eat schnitzels every day with no shame.

Everybody seems to kayak in Austria.

Mountains are stunning.

Fireflies are absolutely amazing at night.

We paddled Salza river and the Enns, both are awesome.

It is hard to get information about the rivers on internet.

People still smoke in bars and restaurants in Austria.

Alpackalypse first impressions

During the trip I used the 2017 Alpackalypse from Alpackaraft. It was the first time I was using it properly and I am not disappointed at all, it’s a great boat: very responsive and playful. It has everything I was looking for. The boat is very tippy and does respond like a classic packraft. Note that I was previously using a modified Yak with double seat moved forward and thigh straps and I was still surprised how different the Alpackalypse is. It is definitely the best packraft I ever owned but it’s not a boat that everybody would like. Most packrafters are looking for a forgiving boat, easy to handle. The Alpackalypse is not a packraft of this kind at all. It takes time to get used to it. But it’s so fun, I would not go back to another model I guess. Well, the Gnarwal looks very very nice as well…

I used the Alpackalypse on different kinds of rivers and rapids from class I to V.

I don’t have an extended experience of this boat yet so I won’t go any further in the review now.

I don’t have a lot of action pictures from this trip, pics were taken mostly from shore and eddies.

Laussafall:

A 6 meter pool drop with a complicated put in. Great landing, avoid the rock on the left.

The Enns:

Great river, everything from class I to deadly siphons and class VI.

Salza River:

Pure beauty. Very easy and enjoyable river, suitable for beginners.

Thanks for reading!

Disclaimer: Even though Alpackaraft is mentioned a lot and in good terms in this post, I have not been bribed, I write freely and objectively. They simply produce the best packrafts on Earth and I am glad to have a good relationship with them.